Sag Harbor - Fighting Chance, the free-of-charge cancer counseling and resource center serving the East End, presents a free half-day symposium for hundreds of cancer patients and families to learn about improvements in oncology care from a who's who of oncology experts.

It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Advance registration is required and may be made by calling Fighting Chance at 631-725-4646.

Fighting Chance has assembled the first-ever coalition of 15 non-profits involved in treating and supporting cancer patients on Long Island to enhance this year's event. It is the third Day of Hope, presented by Fighting Chance, which in 2005 and 2006 filled the 300-seat Bay Street Theatre to capacity.

Experts And Sponsors
Among the sponsors is Southampton Hospital. It has participated in each Day of Hope since the event's inception and returns as a major partner in 2009.

Additionally, Edna Kapanhas-Valdes, MD, who leads the hospital's new Breast Health Center, is a symposium speaker.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Stony Brook University Medical Center, both known for exceptional cancer care, are also sponsors. As well, their experts will join the roundtable for doctor-audience dialog. These include Philip Schulman, MD, Chief of Oncology Services at Memorial Sloan-Kettering's mid-island facility in Commack; and Rahuldev (Rahul) Bhalla, MD, Robotic Surgery Specialist from the Cancer Center at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Other conference partners are American Cancer Society, Cancer Care of the East End, Komen for the Cure, Ellen's Run, Lucia's Angels, Wellness Foundation, Breast Health Coalitions for both the South Fork and North Fork, and East Hampton Healthcare Foundation.

Apple Bank, as twice before, is the private sector sponsor helping to defray event costs. It is joined this year by North Fork Radiation Oncology, led by Renu Hausen, MD, another symposium speaker.

Rounding out the coalition are two Suffolk County-based foundations of national scope: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Lustgarten Foundation, which seeks a cure for pancreatic cancer and was started by the Dolan family, owners of Cablevision Systems Corporation.

The Day of Hope will be enriched by every conference partner's presence via an information table and representative, creating a cancer-focused "health fair" dimension to the event.

Duncan N. Darrow, Founder and Chairman of Fighting Chance, says, "Each of the conference partners for the third Day of Hope has cast a vote of confidence in Fighting Chance and our ability to present a highly informative gathering for cancer patients, their families and the physicians that serve them."

"The conference partners for Day of Hope are a who's who of Suffolk County non-profits fighting the war on cancer. They have never been part of a partnership of this scope or importance."

"Fighting Chance created the Day of Hope so that cancer patients in Suffolk County could be among the first to learn, and not last to know, about cutting-edge advances in treating their disease. Symposium faculty, all among the elite of East End oncologists, provide that critical information and chance for extended doctor-patient dialog."

The last time the event convened, patients in attendance were asked to answer one question: "What does hope mean to me?" Darrow says he will always remember one response saying it all, "Hope is everything."

About Fighting Chance
Since 2002, Fighting Chance has counseled around 2,000 cancer patients and caregivers, distributed 10,000 guides and receives 5,000 visitors per month to its website (www.fightingchance.org). It was founded with the aim of being a clearinghouse of cancer care resources on New York's eastern Long Island. Today, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization is a model for cancer care delivery in rural communities offering counseling, cancer patient navigation, support groups and free medical visit transportation. Free access to hard-to-find resources and professional counseling is available from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of cancer care. In 2009, Fighting Chance is the subject of an LTV documentary, "Cancer Journeys on the East End;" and introduced a volunteer training program in patient navigation. For those in need of services or to make financial contributions, contact Fighting Chance at 631-725-4646.